Cigarette extinguisher



1952 w. L. LILE 2,584,275

CIGARETTE EXTINGUISHER Filed June 1, 1949' Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITEDSTATES ATENT orrlcs roams. (Crier-237) The present invention relates tosmokers ac.- ce i and l 'anee ed me e P, l le ly relates to nov endfli.eved i ed? tinguisher.

It is not generally known to the ayerage lay-Q man that cigarettes aretreated wit U pounds containing potassium chlorate and the; are adaptedto release oxygen upon the ignition of the cigarette so as to promoteeven bur g and sustain combustion. As a resultpthe'avera e smoker is aptto be extremely. careless the disposition of lighted cigarettes since hedoe si'r ot realize that th ch m el vitr ete ei e s te ill (101111111118rnin unti p otest nt! c mp t ly extinguished. V r i Because of thelatent hazardsresulting from the disposition of improperly extinguishedicig arettes, many f res are inadvertently caused whichresult inmillions of dollars of property damage.

These hazards have been multiplied to an even greater extent since theadvent of the automor bile, as drivers preoccupied with't ailf c pro;-cedures and the mechanical operation of an automobile frequently do nottaketheprecaritions necessary to properly extinguish {a cigarette before disposing of same." i

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asimplified; cigarette ex tinguisher which may be'easily manipulatedwithone hand by a simple reciprocatory pt 'nger movement to properlyextinguisha lighted "erg" arette and classify the components th'ereofforfuture use or final disposition.

Another object otthe present invention is to provide an-effectivecigaretteextinguisher which may be easily adapted for-installationin alocale accessible to the driver -of'-a: vehiclesuch as an automobileorthe-like.

A further object of the"present-invention'is toprovide a cigaretteextinguisher. which ma ybe economically produced:v from. .areducednumber of simplified elements toforma handsome. and attractivesmoking. accessory for use in- .bu'siness Offices, id c shor invariospubliczplac Yet another object of the present inventiomis to provide animproved severingmechanism for a cigarette extinguisher, whereby a;.eleanecut butt may-be produced thlo lgh the employment of a novel andimproved cutting assembly;

According to the general features of the, presout invention, a casingislprovidedw i hwi adapted to suppcrtasevering mechanism;in re'- movablesliding assembly; The severing mech anism isp-characterized bya pair ofspaced iwalls in which a blade element defininga cuttih ledger is firmlypositioned. A;bifurcated plungerscone structed to be"reciprocatedbetween ,,the ,space.d. walls andadaptedto paSSthQclltting-edge9f th blade betweenits bifurcated, part is 1 also;pro;-; id d- Th si i ulsuishn of; th s invention is! furthercharacterized by a pivotally mounted tray or trough which is suitablydished to receivea lighted cigarette so that the lighted end may beextended through registering apertures formed in the spaced walls andthe bifurcated plunger. 'A stop may be provided on the extinguishercasing to properly position the cigarette.

' The tray or trough is provided with a flanged and slotted lug arrangedto lie in registry with a vertically disposed guide slot formed in thespaced walls. The plunger is provided with a camming pin which passesthrough the lug of the tray andthrough the guide slot so that when theplunger is reciprocated the tray is automatically actuated to a dumpingposition.

By the provision of such a structure, a lighted cigarette may beeifectively positioned and carried. by the shoulders defined in theapertured bifurcated plunger past the cutting edge of the blade so thatthe hot coals and ashes of the cigarettei will fallinto anisolatedsnufling compartment on one side of the Wall while the butt end of thecigarette will fall into a storage compartment on the other side of thewalls. The plunger may be spring-biased so as to normally assume anupward position.

Many other features, advantages and additional objects of the presentinvention, as well as the specific nature thereof, will become manifestto those. versed in the art upon making reference to. the detaileddescription which follows and the annexed sheet of drawings which by wayof illustrative example only shows a preferred embodiment of a cigaretteextinguisher incorporating theprinciples of my invention.

on the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette extinguisher embodying theprinciples of my invention;

' Figure 2'is a cross-sectional view'with parts in elevation taken online II--II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view with parts in elevation taken on lineIII III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on line IVIV in Figure 3, withthe complete trough showmfor the sake oficlarity;

Figure. 5 is. a c fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts inelevation somewhat similar to Figure 3 but showing the positioning ofthe pivotedtrayiwith the plunger depressed;

Figure 6 isa fragmentary cross-sectional view with parts in elevationtaken on line VI-'-VI of Figure'2; and,

Figure flvis anenlarged fragmentary cross sectional view showingadditional details of constructionland taken on line VIIe-VII of Figure6.

As'shown on thedrawings:

A cigarette vextinguisher is indicated generally byx-the referencenumeral it and is shown as comprisihgacasing l l'adapted to receive afitted cover I 2. As may be most clearly seen on Figures 1, 2, 8 and 5,the cover I 2 is provided with a flanged portion I20; which defines themarginal contours of a cigarette-receiving trough or tray, the detailsof which will be amplified hereinafter. The cover I2 is further providedwith an aperture l3, the utility of which will also become apparent fromthe description to follow.

As may be seen in Figure 4, a pair of flanged lugs |4 may be affixed tothe inside walls of the casing and are so spaced as to define opposingguide tracks to support a removable severing mechanism in the casing.

More specifically, the severing mechanism comprises a pair of wallswhich, for the sake of convenience, may be referred to as an inner walll3 and an outer wall H.

The walls |B and H are preferably provided with a flared portion as atIlia and Ila in which a pair of registering slots |6b and I'll) may beformed. A blade element |8 may be securely positioned between the flaredportion Ito and Ila of the walls l6 and I! in the locale of the slots512 and H1). The blade element 3 may be secured by a pair of rivets orsimilar fastening means l9 passed through the walls It and I! andthereby serves to space the walls in their upper middle portion. Thelower portions of the walls are further spaced by washers 29 (Figures 2and 3) through which are passed suitable fasteners 2| as in Figure 3.

The blade element I8 is preferably providedwith a V-shaped cutting edge22 and, in this particular embodiment, is shown as comprising arectangular element with an irregularly shaped aperture 23 formedtherein having its bottom edges sharpened to define the V-shaped cuttingedge 22.

According to this invention, a plunger 24 is provided which preferablytakes the form of a pair of arms and which may be conveniently formed ofa single piece of sheet metal folded back upon itself. The plunger 24 isshaped in such a manner as to define three prongs near its lower end,two of the prongs indicated by the reference character 24a lying alongrespective edges with a center prong 24b disposed therebetween (FigureThe plunger 24 is further provided with an aperture'26 and a reliefopening 21 spaced from the aperture 26. A knob 28 may be connected tothe plunger 24 in any conventional manner as by making a screw 29integral with the plunger 24 and threading the knob 28 thereon.

The plunger 24 may be normally biased to an upward position by means ofa suitable resilient element such as a coil spring 30 arranged tosurround the center prong 24b and shoulder against the bottom edge I60and 10, respectively, of the openings |6b and I'll) formed in the wallsI6 and H.

A tray or trough element 3| is provided having a hinge portion 3|a forpivotal mounting on a pin 32. One end of the pin 32 is journaled in anaperture formed in the casing H and another portion of the pin 32 isjournaled in suitable apertures formed in the walls l6 and IT. The pin32 may be nipped or pinched as at 3211 to preclude longitudinaldisplacement thereof outwardly through the apertures formed in thecasing II and the walls It and I1. Longitudinal movement in an oppositedirection is further precluded by extending the length of the pin 32 asat 32b so the end of the pin 32 will lie in approximate relationship tothe end wall of the casing Thus, if the severing mechanism is to 4 betaken out of the casing II, the walls l6 and I1 may he slid upwardlyuntil such a time as the pin 32 binds in the pin aperture formed in thecasing H and precludes further upward movement. Then, the extendedlength 3212 of the pin 32 may be cleared over the adjacent wall of thecasing II and the pin 32 easily withdrawn from the aperture in' thecasing H and the entire severing mechanism may be conveniently removed.for cleaning or servicing purposes.

As will be evident from the drawings, the tray or trough 3| is providedwith an angularly inclined dished-out portion of a suitableconfiguration to receive and accurately position a cigarette. The trayor trough 3|"is. assembled within the casing II in such a'manner as tocontinue and extend the slope defined by the flanged portion |2a of thecover l2, thereby enhancing the overall decorative effect andcontributing to the utility of the extinguisher Hi.

The deep end portion of the tray or trough 3| normally lies in registrywith the aperture 26 formed in the plunger 24 and the opening 23 formedin the blade element l8, so that a cigarette, indicated in dottedoutline on Figures 2, 3 and 4 and identified by the reference character33, may be placed on the tray or trough 3| and extended through thesevering mechanism with its lighted end against a stop 34 made integralwith the cover |2.

The tray or trough 3| is provided with 9. depending flange 3|b on itsend portion which defines a camming slot 36, generally horizontallydisposed when the tray or trough 3| is in its normal position. Thecamming slot 36 is arranged to lie in registry with the generallyvertical guide slots 31 and 31' formed in each of the walls l6 and H.

As may best be seen on Figure 7, a camming pin 38 may be threadedlyreceived and retained by the plunger 24' and the slot 31' formed in thewall may be adapted to provide a sliding passage for an enlarged headportion formed on the pin 38. To assemble the pin in threaded relationto the plunger 24, one or the bifurcated arms 24a of the plunger 24 isprovided with a flanged aperture suitably threaded to receive acomplementally threaded portion formed on the pin 38. A projectingportion of the pin 33 may extend through the slot 37 formed in wall H5and through the camming slot 36 formed in the flange or lug 3|b of thetray or trough 3|. Thus, whenever the plunger 24 is actuated against thebias of the spring 3|], the pin 38 moving downwardly through the guideslot 3'! will bear against the edges of the camming slot 36 and the trayor trough 3| will pivotally rotate about the axis defined by the pin 32,thereby angularly displacing the tray or trough 3| to a dumpingposition.

In operation, a lighted cigarette 33 positioned on the tray 3| againstthe stop 34 and through the severing mechanism above the cutting edge 22of the blade element |8 will be effectively shouldered against thedouble wall edges of the aperture 26 formed in the bifurcated plunger 2%when the plunger 24 is actuated downwardly against the bias of thespring 30.

As the plunger 24 moves downwardly, the cutting edge 22 of-the bladeelement I8 will lie between the arms of the plunger 24 and willeffectively sever the lighted end of the cigarette 33 with a clean cut,thereby permitting the hot coals and ashes of the cigarette 33 to fallin an isolated snufiing compartment 39 on one side of the walls l6 and I1 while the butt end of the cigarette 33 is carried by the tray ortrough 3|.

The lighted hot coals will be quickly extinguished either through lackof combustion supporting material or combustion supporting oxygen or byhaving the temperature thereof reduced below a kindling temperature byvirtue of heat dissipation throughout the casing ll. Any shreds oftobacco or ash remaining in the locale of the cutting edge 22 andbetween the arms 2 2a of the plunger 24 will pass outwardly through therelief opening 21 when the plunger 2 is fully depressed over the bladeelement 18.

It will be evident that as the plunger 24 is depressed, the tray 3! willbe angularly displaced and will pivotally rotate about the pin 32thereby permitting the butt end of the cigarette 33 to be convenientlydumped into the storage compartment 4'0 upon the completion of thesevering operation.

From the foregoing description, it should be apparent that I havedescribed a novel and improved cigarette extinguisher operable by asingle reciprccatory plunger movement, the mechanical features of whichmay be readily incorporated in extinguisher casings adapted for mountingin vehicles or constructed for use in homes, business offices, or otherpublic gathering places.

While it is contemplated that various minor modifications may be made tothe extinguisher structure which I have described herein by way ofpreferred example only, it should be understood that I do not propose tobe limited to the specific details set forth but desire to embrace allsuch structures as reasonably and properly come within the scope of mycontribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a cigarette extinguisher, a severing mechanism comprising spacedwalls, a blade supported thereby, and a pronged plunger reciprocablebetween said walls and over said blade, said walls being apertured andsaid plunger having an aperture normally registering with the aperturesin said walls and spaced above the cutting edge of said blade to carry alighted cigarette past said blade for severance of the end thereof.

2. In a cigarette extinguisher, a removable severing mechanismcomprising supporting walls, a pronged plunger adapted to have a lightedcigarette extending therethrough and being reciprocable between saidwalls and an apertured blade member carried by said walls disposedrelatively between the bifurcated portions of said plunger, the lightedend of a cigarette being receivable in said aperture for severance bythe coaction of said plunger and said blade when said plunger isdepressed to carry the cigarette across the blade member.

3. In a cigarette extinguisher of the type defining guide means for areciprocable plunger and a fixed cutting blade, the improvementscomprising a pronged plunger adapted for reciprocation relative to acutting edge defined by a blade disposed between the plunger prongs,said plunger prongs defining a cigarette-receiving aperture spaced fromthe cutting edge of said cutting blade, the edges of the aperture in thepronged plunger constituting shoulders to support and carry thecigarette past the cutting edge of the blade.

4. In a cigarette extinguisher, a severing mechanism comprising spacedwalls, a blade supported thereby, and a plunger reciprocable betweensaid walls and across said blade, said walls and said all plunger havingnormally registering apertures in the locale of the cutting edge of saidblade to position a lighted cigarette for severance of the end th reof,said plunger further having a relief slot spaced from saidcigarette-receiving aperture for receiving any shredded tobbaco tendingto interfere with the movement of said plunger relative to said walls.

5. A cigarette extinguisher comprising, in combination, a casing, a pairof spaced walls slidably supported therein, said walls having a centralopening and a substantially vertically disposed cam slot adjacentthereto, an apertured blade member positioned between said walls in thelocale of said opening, a cigarette-receiving tray pivotally mounted insaid casing and having a lug with a normally horizontally disposedcamming slot in registry with said guide slot, a stop spaced from saidtray to position a lighted cigarette in said tray with the lighted endextending through said blade member, an apertured plunger reciprocablebetween said walls and over said blade member, said plunger having a pinextending through said camming slot and said guide slot, and resilientmeans normally biasing said plunger upwardly, whereby the lighted end ofa cigarette positioned in said tray against said stop and through saidblade member and said apertured plunger may be severed when said plungeris depressed against the bias of said resilient means to carry thecigarette downwardly, said tray being simultaneously actuatable inpivotable displacement by said plunger and said pin to deposit the buttend of the cigarette on one side or" said walls while the lighted end ofthe cigarette will fall on the other side of said walls.

6. In a cigarette extinguisher of the type including a reciprocableplunger associated with a cutting blade, the improvements comprising acigarette-receiving tray, said tray defining a flanged lug with apin-receiving cam slot therein and being pivotaliy mounted in saidextinguisher and a camming pin carried by said plunger and received insaid cam slot for effecting simultaneous dumping action of said traywhen a cigarette is severed by actuation of said plunger.

'1. A cigarette extinguisher comprising a casing, a removable severingmechanism insertable in said casing to divide said easing into a storagecompartment and a snuiiing compartment, and a tray hingedly supportedfor pivotal movement by said casing and said mechanism in superlacentrelationship relative to said storage compartment, said severingmechanism including a plunger having an actuator element arranged tocooperate with said tray, whereby a cigarette positioned by said traymay have the lighted end severed for disposition in said snufnngcompartment upon actuation of said plunger, said tray beingsimultaneously actuatable by said plunger through said actuator elementto dump the butt of said cigarette in said storage compartment.

WALTER L. LILE.

REFERENCES CI'IED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 311,053 Asbury Jan. 20, 18851,010,815 Smith Dec. 5, 1911 1,220,442 Merrill Mar. 27, 1917 2,262,440Moberg Nov. 11, 1941

